DCLM Daily Manna 30 June 2023 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Sanctifying Tears
TOPIC: Sanctifying Tears (DCLM Daily Manna 30 June 2023)
KEY VERSE: “For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter” (2 Corinthians 7:11).
TEXT: 1 Corinthians 7:8-16 (KJV)
8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I.
9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:
11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.
12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.
14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.
16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
MESSAGE:
Scientists have only recently began to do a careful study on the amazing health benefits of bitter kola, a plant native to Central and Western Africa. Although every part of the plant has been used for medicinal purposes, its seed is more in demand. One remarkable thing about bitter kola seed is that despite its attractive white inner colour, it has a sharp bitter flavour. However, as you chew on, it ends up tasting sweet, especially when you drink water thereafter.
Bitter-to-sweet is how best to describe the experience of Apostle Paul and the Corinthian church. In his first epistle to them, Paul had rebuked them with very strong words for condoning the incestuous action of a member. Not so sure how they would take it, the Apostle was burdened about the church until he got information from Timothy that the letter produced a sweet and positive result among them. It resulted in a godly sorrow and repentance and strengthened their grip on commitment to the Lord.
For the Christian, certain experiences may at first seem bitter or unpalatable. At the end, they result in a beneficial outcome. Sometimes, the Lord allows us to pass through certain “bitter” experiences as a means of drawing our attention to a wrong step taken. At such times, it will be reasonable to do a heart-search and make amends where necessary for a sweet ending.
Unfortunately, some believers are so nonchalant and self-willed that they ignore the lessons of godly sorrow to their peril. Today, you can take a cue from the attitude of the Corinthian church and respond appropriately to God’s word, no matter how bitter it tastes to you.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Dry-eye Christianity is a bane, not a blessing.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Kings 21-22
Deeper Life Daily Manna was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
